Under the weight of years of sanctions and restrictions, the country has begun to use the power of science and innovation to reduce its dependence on foreign imports, improve public health, and protect food security.
In doing so, Iran is rethinking its economic future, moving from a model of oil dependence to a model that is increasingly defined by knowledge-based industries. Biotechnology is currently at the heart of this transformation.
What once began as a scientific curiosity has matured into a critical strategic asset. With investment and institutional support, Iran has developed health biotechnology capabilities comparable to many advanced economies.
The country is building the foundation for domestic production of critical medical products at a time when access to many foreign medicines remains limited.
One of the most prominent examples is the localization of insulin and plasma production. These two important medical inputs, which were fully imported until recently, accounted for more than $300 million in annual foreign currency expenditures.
The government has set a second year target to fully complete both domestic production capacity, with the aim of reducing costs as well as reducing vulnerabilities in the healthcare system.
This change is more than just an economy. It represents the resilience of a broader national strategy. In countries with constant economic pressure, science has become a tool of sovereignty.
Stem cell therapy is one such example. In 2025, Iran reached the 8th place worldwide for stem cell research and treatment.
Clinics that offer advanced treatments like plasma technology for wound care are now open nationwide and offer more equitable access to cutting-edge health solutions.
The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) announced the operation of nine such clinics, including five new centres, which opened on Sunday.
At the same time, biotechnology is helping Iran look. The country’s exports have long been dominated by oil and gas, but biotechnology is opening up a growing role.
While official export figures in this sector hover around $200 million a year, experts suggest that true numbers, including informal or unregistered transactions, could be significantly higher.
Iran currently exports biotechnology products to at least 17 countries, primarily in the region. The unique infrastructure for the production of recombinant drugs and other advanced biology gives a competitive advantage in West and Central Asia, where such capabilities are limited.
In this context, biotechnology has proven more than scientific success. It is becoming a diplomatic and economic tool.
From vaccines to biosimilar drugs, Iran’s home biotechnology products are increasingly sought by neighboring countries, particularly those looking for affordable alternatives to Western medicines.
These exports have a modest size compared to oil, but have strategic weight. They demonstrate that even under sanctions and financial restrictions, Iran can offer high-value goods to the region based on domestic innovation.
However, the impact of biotechnology has spread beyond laboratories and hospitals. Iran also looks at this science and tackles one of the most urgent issues: food security.
In recent years, environmental pressures, climate change and population growth have put a strain on the country’s agricultural system. In response, Iran has embraced genetic engineering and biotechnology to improve crop yields, reduce import dependence, and ensure its food supply remains stable.
From developing drought-bearing crops to reducing dependence on imported livestock input, many developed countries are seeking to modernize the agricultural sector using tools they have long embraced.
Policymakers view this as a national security issue, not just an economic issue. Foods like medicine become a geopolitical tool, and Iran is working to ensure its population is at the mercy of foreign suppliers.
Investments in agricultural biotechnology have already shown results, and the continued research and innovation in this area is now considered a key component of Iran’s broader development goals.
Supporting these efforts is a clear strategic vision. The national development document lays out an ambitious target for Iran to have technologies including biotechnology, contributing 7% to its gross domestic product in the near future.
Institutions such as the National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, together with research universities and private knowledge-based companies, play a central role in achieving this goal. The focus is on creating an innovation ecosystem that transforms scientific breakthroughs into commercial products and public interest.
Despite these results, challenges remain. Sanctions still limit access to some devices and limit international collaboration. The bureaucracy and regulatory hurdles can slow down the path from research to market.
However, the momentum cannot be denied. What Iran lacks resources is beginning to compensate with scientific talent, strategic planning and national will.
By investing in this sector, Iran not only builds a more self-sufficient economy, but also lays the foundation for long-term, sustainable development based on innovation and resilience.
Iran’s Biotechnology Journey provides a compelling case of how science becomes a pillar of economic strength and national dignity.
That experience shows what is possible when a nation dares to turn its own capabilities and lead with knowledge.
MNA/presstv